DecodedGuides

How to store miso

Best place: the fridge. USDA gives miso a fridge time (1 year, from the package date) and no pantry time, so it belongs in the fridge as soon as you get home.

Pantry

No guideline

Fridge

1 year

from the package date

Freezer

Not recommended

How to tell miso has gone bad

General signs for vegetarian proteins, the group USDA lists miso under.

  • Sour or off smell instead of a neutral, mild scent
  • Slimy film developing on the surface of tofu
  • Discoloration, especially yellowing or dark spots
  • Mould, often black or white, on tempeh
  • Packaging that has swollen or lost its seal

More on vegetarian proteins. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Refrigerate opened tofu submerged in fresh water in a covered container, changing the water daily, and use within about a week. Keep tempeh and meat substitutes in their sealed packaging until use, then reseal tightly. Freeze extra tofu or tempeh in an airtight container for longer storage; the texture will change slightly.

How to store other vegetarian proteins

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.